Open source mashup simplifies document-based processes for SBs

CAMBRIDGE: Open source application developers Colosa and KnowledgeTree have announced a ‘mashup’ of their web-based applications (ProcessMaker and KnowledgeTree document management software) to help small to mid-sized businesses handle, manage and retrieve vital company documents such as contracts, approval letters, or applications.

The combination of the ProcessMaker business process management (BPM) software, which simplifies workflow through the automation of paper-based processes, with KnowledgeTree’s powerful open source document management software has delivered a tool that will allow businesses to bring together workflow and document management capabilities to design and manage business processes, and to seamlessly file, store and retrieve mission-critical documents.

The mashup, completed with ProcessMaker Open Source v1.0 and KnowledgeTree Version: 3.5.2 (Community Edition), is installable for both Linux and Windows through a plug-in that comes bundled with ProcessMaker Open Source. The 100kb file is executed in the Setup menu’s Plug-in option. The plug-in will automatically be installed, and the user will fill in the setup with credentials and URL paths for the KnowledgeTree server. It is available at https://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=215099

Both applications are web-based, AJAX-enabled applications based on PHP, which made the integration seamless. Colosa’s ProcessMaker  is an open source, robust BPM tool built with SMEs in mind, to automate document-intensive, approval-based processes across systems including finance, HR and operations. Functionalities include creating and sharing workflows, customizing forms, managing processes and enhancing reporting. With document management capabilities added in through the mashup with KnowledgeTree, users can now not only design and manage business processes, but they can then file, store and retrieve their mission critical documents.

KnowledgeTree is an open source document management provider that provides feature-rich, easy to use enterprise document management software for use by corporations, government institutions and small to medium-sized businesses. KnowledgeTree’s open source architecture lowers the total cost of ownership through providing the flexibility to integrate the software with existing infrastructure. KnowledgeTree has built a large dedicated community around its product, with over 450,000 downloads to date, 30,000 registered community members and 67 community-run projects.

Brian Reale, , CEO of Colosa said, “This mashup shows the vitality and flexibility of web-based applications and how integration can deliver new and innovative services that are demanded by the market.”

He continued, “It made sense to integrate KnowledgeTree’s document management application with ProcessMaker for several reasons. First, the two applications share a similar architecture, which makes it simple to integrate and manage. Second, KnowledgeTree serves the same target market: small to medium businesses that are looking for a way to simplify and yet speed up core business processes. Finally, users that need document management functionality within the ProcessMaker application can now meet their infrastructure needs and users who need to manage their business processes in KnowledgeTree can do so as well.”

Daniel Chalef , COO of KnowledgeTree added, “Colosa’s ProcessMaker is perfectly-designed for SME customers that want a better way to handle business processes and workflow. The features with the application represent an opportunity to add additional value to our customers. ProcessMaker has unique functionality in the open source BPM space, in that it is entirely web-based, and includes two modules to design and manage business processes.

He concluded, “ProcessMaker’s open source heritage fits in with our philosophy of empowering enterprises with low costs and high functionality and enables us to deliver a feature-rich and compelling integration.”